St- Andrews’
Student
N e w s p a p e r
ante
March 1,1993
Vol. 31,No.3
St. Andrews Presbyterian College Laurinburg, N.C.
Novembefj
’ An af fordable change’
Clinton unleashes his
economic agenda
By Matt Peck
staff editor
Last Wednesday night President Clinton turned to
the nation and Congress to unveal his economic recov
ery plan for the next four years.
" We must do this togetherhe said as he looked out
onto the floor of Congress.
The plan Clinton proposed would encompass $242
billion in tax increases and $253 billion in spending
over the next four years. He said that this budget will cut
$140 billion from the deficit over the next four years.
President Clinton appealled to the American people
and memebers of Congress saying that if we did not act
now, then we will not recognize this country in 10 years.
The deficit would have grown to $635 billion a year, and
the national debt would consume over 80% of the gross
domestic product
Majority Democrats gave Clinton a roaring standing
ovation as the first Democratic president to hold the
White House in 12 years.
Clinton used the call for change by the American
people as platform for his agenda to stand, as he said:
"Americans have called for change, and now it's up for
those of us in this room to deliver.”
Although Clinton's plan would spread pain through
out the nation, well-to-do people would be hit the
hardest
Clinton's program would impose higher energy taxes
on family households with an income of more than
$30,000. By the administrations calculations this would
raise revenue of more than $71 billion by 1998.
The expected date of start for this plan is next July.
Gasoline will be 21/2 cents a gallon, 2 3/4 cents a gallon
for heating oil, and 261/4 cents per thousand cubic feet
of natural gas.
Income tax rates would increase drastically over the
next few years, from 31% now to 36% next year. This
increase would affect families with incomes over
$140,000 and individuals over$115,000. A10% surtax
would apply to those people making $250,000or more.
For couples on Social Security earning more than
$32,000 a year and individuals earning $25,000 a year,
there will be a sinificant tax increase. Medicare would
be taxed for all earnings compared to the present
$135,000 limit
The package presented by President Clinton is esti
mated to cut $496 bilhon from the deficit over the next
four years. It is the largest economic reduction in
history.
Clinton also proposed spending increase at around
$160 billion over the next four years. These would
include construction projects, education programs, job
training, and a variety of health care programs.
Success or failure of this proposal will be the bench
mark by which his presidentcy is judged.
Rep. Dick Armey, R-Tex., said, "I told him I didn't
like it (the plan) at all. There is nothing about this plan
that says there will be one dime less spending next year
than this year."
Ways and Means Committee Chairman Dan
Rostenkowski, D-Ill said, "Nobody likes taxes. I as
sume Clinton wants to be fair, and from what I interpret,
he is fair. But it is going to be a tough row to hoe."
Other republicans denouce Clinton's plan as another
democratic tax and spend program for the American
Model U.N. successful
at raising dough
By Elizabeth Chesky
Members of the
Model United Nations at St.
Andrews began “selling”
themselves outside of SAGA
on January 12. Their services
included good night kisses,
back massages,bed-time sto
ries, traditional tuck-ins, full
service, and for the shy, just a
glass ofwater and a mint. All
for $5.00 or less. On the 11 of
February, they started selling
cut-out hearts in accordance
with Valentines Day and of
fering to deliver th«n to
whomever was specified.
Why all of this altruism?
The Model UN [dans
a trip to New York, where
they will compete nationally,
for the second week of April.
It wiU be tteir third simula-
ticMi conference this year, they
won honorable mention for
best delegation last Novem
ber and will participate in
another regional competition
this month.
These students can
participate in intemational
policy-making by studying in
tensely about their assigned
country, debating and reach
ing a resolution at the simula
tion conference, then submit
ting their views to the real
United Nations. They will
discuss effects on the envi
ronment in Ai»t1.
“It’s a lot of woik,
but it’s worth it,” say presi
dent Tim Lucas and vice
preadent Scott Snider. Con
gratulations to Scott airf Tim,
and to other active members
Becky Stacy, Paul McPtiater,
Chelsea Cureton, Shanon
Gill, Malaia Shafford. Ondy
Ritter, Nicole Ward, Brad
Johnson. Chris Simmons,
Eleanor Eagle, and to their
advisor, Dr.flowa^fl
Reichner.
These representa-
tives of St Andrews are help
ing shape our nation!
Clinton's first mistake
by Chip Neal
Newly-elected President Bill Clinton
is already on the road towards his first
conflict—^not just any conflict, but
what could be a major one!
DefenseSecretary ,Les
Aspin, advised President Qinton that
a large “majority of Congress” and a
great number of military leaders
would oppose any immediate venture
to lift the ban on homosexuals. He
goes on to say “if you can’t get
Congess to agree on the outline of it,
it isn’t going to haR)en.”
Colin Powel, head of the Joint
Cheifs of Staff, staunchly disagrees
with Clinton’s proposal saying that
lifting the ban would “wreck morale
and discipline” and “increase the
spread of AIDS which would in turn
“undermine recruiting and force de
voutly religious service members to
resign.” The government would be
asking the individual to lay his or her
life downoverthe risks of two wars—
the war against AIDS and the war
against a foreign land. Even if
Clinton does lift the ban on homo
sexuals in the military. Congress could
still pass a law overruling him.
Senator Dan Coates, a Re
publican from Indiana and a member
of the Armed Services Committee,
said that “he’d lead opposition to lift
ing the ban.” but as of now, he doesn’t
know how he’ll do it. Hewasshocked
at the proposal. “I don’t think the
military is the place to try a social
experiment,” he added.
How to Contact Washington
If you would like to contact Wadiington to give the
president your views of this situation, or any other situation
thatmight arise, here is an address and [rfiine number to help
you with your mission:
Call: (202) 456-1111.9-5 weekdays. Operators will regis
ter your comments.
Write: President Qinton. 1600 Pennsylvania Ave., Wash
ington, D.C. 20500.
Your Congressman's or Senator's address is in your
local t^one book.